MEDIA RELEASE

A 41-year old Keaau man died Monday (March 6, 2006) from injuries he sustained in a two-vehicle collision on Saddle Road, .8 miles west of the 35-Mile Marker.

The victim was identified as Jack H. Mae, of a Keaau address.

Responding to a 4:25 p.m. call, South Hilo patrol officers determined that the victim was operating a 1990 Toyota two-door sedan and traveling west on Saddle Road. The victim was driving over the centerline of the road at the top of a hill when the vehicle collided with a 2001 Toyota pick-up truck traveling east and going up the hill.

The victim was flown to the Hilo Medical Center by a U.S. Army helicopter from the Pohakuloa Training Area. The victim was pronounced dead at 5:22 p.m. at the emergency room.

The driver of the Toyota pick-up truck, a 36-year-old man from Captain Cook and his female passenger, 28, of Hilo were transported to the Hilo Medical Center by police. The driver complained of back pain and injury to his right foot. The passenger had minor injuries.

Traffic Enforcement Unit officers have initiated a standard negligent homicide investigation and have ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

It is unknown at this time if speed or alcohol were factors in this crash.

This is the 8th traffic fatality on the Big Island this year, compared to nine at the same time last year.